Maryland FOM Tx # 1 was held out of Smallwood State Park on the mighty Potomac River on 4-8-2023. The weather started out the day with 10-15 mph NE winds opposing the tide making the river a bit uppity in the AM. The winds settled down in the afternoon making the run back a bit better. After 80 degree highs on Wednesday and Thursday, we had highs in the 50’s on Friday and Saturday dropping the water temps around 10 degrees in the shallows.
Our pre-tournament dinner and meeting (and Good Friday service!) was held at the pavilion at Smallwood State Park with 16 out of 19 teams represented. Chaplain Paul Wiley brought the message speaking about Jonah’s experience with his call to preach at Nineveh and challenging us to engage in the affairs of our lost country instead of taking a nap in the bottom of the boat as Jonah did. He concluded with a presentation of the gospel message and invitation to all in attendance. There were 7 rededications noted on the response cards.
The father and son team of Jonathan and Jody Werner brought in a huge sack that weighed 24.99 lbs. Their big fish weighed 6.38 lbs. They placed first in the tournament, first place in Bonus Bucks, and took the big fish honors as well. The smiles may have to be surgically removed from their faces! Potomac river specialists and father/son team Ricky Windsor Jr. and Ricky Windsor III brought in 23.45 lbs with a big fish of 5.87 lbs to place second in the tx and in Bonus Bucks. A bag like this will normally win any Potomac Tournament! The father and son pattern continued with Tom and Jimmy Rufenacht bringing in 20.78 for third place in the tournament and in Bonus Bucks. Three bags over 20 lbs is impressive! Deric Parker and Tony Kibler just missed the 20 lb mark with 19.78 lbs. Paul Wiley and Jon Crans returned to the weigh in with 17.09 lbs for fifth place.
We have 2 Junior teams competing with us this year with Jeff and Colton Pelkey finishing in the sixth spot with a strong bag of 16.92. James Johnson/Mason Johnson had a limit for 13.62 lbs to place 12th.
A special thanks goes to the those who helped for the tournament meeting and for the tournament weigh in! With family participating in Easter services, staff was a little thin. Thank you Nate, Sean, John, Bob, Jon, Paul, Joseph, Nancy, Lulu, Jimmy, and to all of the participants for your patience and understanding.
The Maryland Division would like to thank Fishermens-Heaven.store for incredible support this year. In addition to product donations, they are sponsoring an end of the year Points Fund which pays back 5 places. Each team that participates in all 5 tournaments/meetings and completes a minimum $100.00 buy-in prior to the 4/22 tournament are eligible. We would also like to thank Stanford Baits for their continued support. Nathan Hess has designed and built our plaques for the winning teams and a big fish plaque for each tournament this year.
Fishers of Men would like to thank all of our fine sponsors; BassCat Boats, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Mercury, Spiderwire DuraBraid, Realtree Fishing, FireFly Outdoor & Marine, Power-Pole, T&H Marine, X2 Power, FroggToggs , FSB Mortgage and Jacobs Glass.

Place | Team | Members | # Fish | Big Fish | Gross | Penalty | Net Wt | Points | |
1 | 30405 |
Jonathan Werner Jody Werner | 5 | 6.38 | 24.99 | 0 | 24.99 | 200 | |
2 | 30407 |
richard windsor III Richard Windsor jr | 5 | 5.87 | 23.45 | 0 | 23.45 | 199 | |
3 | 30388 |
Tom Rufenacht James Rufenacht | 5 | 0 | 20.78 | 0 | 20.78 | 198 | |
4 | 30437 |
Deric Parker Tony Kibler | 5 | 0 | 19.78 | 0 | 19.78 | 197 | |
5 | 30396 |
Paul Wiley Jon Crans | 5 | 0 | 17.09 | 0 | 17.09 | 196 | |
6 | 30401 |
Jeffrey Pelkey Colton Pelkey | 5 | 0 | 16.92 | 0 | 16.92 | 145 | |
7 | 30436 |
Tom bateman Tim McGlenn | 5 | 5.7 | 16.89 | 0 | 16.89 | 194 | |
8 | 30386 |
Mickey McCleary Butch Brooks | 5 | 4.39 | 16.49 | 0 | 16.49 | 193 | |
9 | 30438 |
Joseph Thompson Steve Polli | 5 | 0 | 15.84 | 0 | 15.84 | 142 | |
10 | 30402 |
William Wiley III Bruce Ostrowski Sr | 5 | 0 | 15.31 | 0 | 15.31 | 191 | |
11 | 30394 |
Brandon Pyles Nathan Routzahn | 5 | 0 | 14.86 | 0 | 14.86 | 140 | |
12 | 30398 |
James Johnson Mason Johnso | 5 | 0 | 13.62 | 0 | 13.62 | 189 | |
13 | 30391 |
Dominic Marchini Wayne Marchini | 5 | 0 | 12.94 | 0 | 12.94 | 188 | |
14 | 30392 |
Jacob VanDeVander Dylan Otte | 4 | 0 | 12.51 | 0 | 12.51 | 187 | |
15 | 30389 |
Sean Peddicord Greg Burdick | 3 | 0 | 11.13 | 0 | 11.13 | 186 | |
16 | 30409 |
William Johnson William Johnson III | 3 | 4.02 | 10.6 | 0 | 10.6 | 185 | |
17 | 30390 |
Robert Wolf John Dell | 3 | 0 | 7.27 | 0 | 7.27 | 184 | |
18 | 30387 |
Michael Malamphy Thomas Waters | 1 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 0 | 3.5 | 183 | |
19 | 30393 |
William Wiley Jr Robert Hawbaker | 1 | 3.09 | 3.09 | 0 | 3.09 | 182 | |
![]() Father and Son Jonathan and Jody Werner with a 24.99 Sack! ![]() Ricky and Ricky with an impressive 23.45 limit Tom and Jimmy with 20.78 for 3rd place ![]() Deric Parker and Tony Kibler with 19.78 for 4th Place. ![]() 5th Place was Paul Wiley and Jon Crans with 17.09 lbs. ![]() Jr. Team Jeff and Colton Pelkey with a strong 16.92 lbs! ![]() Local anglers Tom Bateman and Tim McGlenn placed 7th with 16.89 lbs with a 5.70 kicker ![]() Welcome Jr. Team Jamie and Mason Johnson with a limit weighing 13.62! |